Thermionic Culture Ultra Vulture

Thermionic Culture Ultra Vulture - Stereo Valve Distortion Unit

Experience the Pinnacle of Valve Distortion

Building on the success of the limited edition Culture Vulture 20th Anniversary model, the Thermionic Culture Ultra Vulture offers the best performance for stereo sources yet. This high-quality stereo valve distortion unit is a favorite among audio engineers and producers, delivering a wide range of distortion effects from subtle warmth to full-on fuzz.

Key Features:

• Lower Noise and Minimum Distortion: Enhanced design for lower noise and minimal distortion compared to previous models.
• Wider Bandwidth: Extended low-end and high-end frequencies well beyond 20kHz for clarity, size, and depth of sound.
• Subtle Frequency Lift: Low and high frequencies are subtly lifted for improved sound quality.
• Wide Sweet Spot: Controls are optimized for subtle stereo use with excellent stereo matching.
• Balanced Inputs and Outputs: Specially designed transformers by Sowter ensure high-quality signal transfer.
• Indented Front Panel Controls: Easy recall and stereo matching with indented controls.
• Triode, Pentode, and P2 Settings: Classic settings from the original Culture Vulture, plus the new P3 setting for extreme distortion.
• Overdrive and Presence Switches: Add extra bite and clarity to your signal.
• Function Switch: Includes P2 for over-compression effects and P3 for frequency doubling and extreme distortion.
• Gold Plated Jacks: Balanced line ins and outs, DI, and low outputs with gold plated jacks for reliable connections.
• Signed Certificate: Each unit comes with a signed certificate and a test report showing recommended settings for low distortion in Triode mode.

Technical Specifications:

• Frequency Response: 35Hz to 35kHz, +/-1dB
• Distortion (THD): 0.2% (typical), up to 98% (maximum)
• Max Output Level (MOL): +17dBu (typical), +21dBu (maximum)
• Gain Available: 47dB line, 53dB DI input (typical), up to 76dB (maximum)
• Noise: 88dB below MOL
• Impedances: Line Input: 20kΩ, DI Input: 50kΩ, Line Output: 1kΩ, Lo Output: 4kΩ
• Power Consumption: 20W
• Net Weight: 5.4kg

Great care is taken to match the two channels for stereo use, and each unit comes with a test report showing the recommended settings of Bias and Output Levels for low distortion in Triode mode, where just a little “warmth” is desired. The Drive and Output Level controls are indented for easy recall, with a mid-way +10dB position on the Drive switch and a -10dB switch to cut the output down, useful for comparison or level adjustment.

In addition to the normal Triode and Pentode modes, the Function switch includes P2 for over-compression effects and P3 for the original P2’s frequency doubling and extreme distortion. Despite its refined appearance, the Ultra Vulture can deliver many types of valve distortion up to nearly 100%